Shane McConnell - 1997 - Pioneer of Dog Agility

In 1988 Shane McConnell was attending an obedience event at Astro World Series of Dog Shows in Houston, Texas, when she saw agility in action and knew then that she needed to bring the sport home to Northeast Ohio. The retired medical surgeon, medical professor and teacher from Wadsworth, Ohio, made a huge impact in her area, as well as in the sport of agility, to earn induction into the USDAA Hall of Fame as a Pioneer of Dog Agility.

Shane founded Media Swarm, an agility training club, in 1988 and served as training director, as well as the Executive Director of the 501(c)(3) organization that has contributed so much to local charities like a pet food pantry and emergency vet care fund for those in need.

Median Swarm successfully hosted the USDAA National Championships three times from 1997 – 1999. That was when Shane became instrumental in working with national television to broadcast the sport. The trainer has trained countless dogs and handlers and says she likes to practice more than show, and spend time with her Border collies and Shelties.

She was involved in the formation of 19 agility clubs in the Great Lakes area, shaping a strong agility community for the future. More comfortable behind the scenes than in the spotlight, she gives full credit to the people in Medina Swarm for the success. Medina Swarm members under her leadership were exemplary volunteers, supporting USDAA at events though the late 1990s and traveling to shows throughout the Great Lakes region to volunteer as scorekeepers, timekeepers, gate stewards and ring stewards.